Agricultural practices highlighted on Oprah

"I believe how we treat the least of being among us
determines our own humanity," stated Oprah Winfrey in the opening of her "The
Oprah Winfrey Show" on Tuesday.

The show which was dedicated to issues of livestock
treatment, covered subject matters such as whether cages for egg layers,
gestation stalls for sows and individual crates for veal calves "cross the line"
into animal cruelty.

Even-handedThe programme was
considered to be more even-handed than many in the meat industry might expect.
Guests on the show were representatives both for and against California's
Proposition 2, including farmers and processors, and non-profit
groups.

The pro-Prop 2 participants largely hewed to the idea that an
animal that can't turn around in its living space is an unhappy and poorly
treated animal living in an unhealthy environment, and that human beings have an
obligation to do better. The anti-Prop 2 participants mostly discussed the cost
of changing the housing structures in the way that the proposed legislation
would require, and indicated that they felt the animals were quite content, and
arguably healthier, when they are more closely confined.

Consumer demandThe discussion also touched on the
question of consumer demand for the more expensive goods produced on
"free-range," sometimes also organic, farms. Pro-Prop 2 adherents believed that
more consumer demand would prompt more farmers and processors to make the
switch, increasing supply and lower prices. Anti-Prop 2 participants felt that
prices would simply rise from their already relatively high position.

"I'm not here to tell you what to think, but just to bring
you the information," Winfrey announced.